This fall, I invited my legislative staff to the district to gain a better understanding of our area, especially the condition of our local roads. We drove through several towns on historic Michigan Road; up and down the winding path of Fishing Worm Ridge Road and along the Ohio River via State Road 156, where the road was recently reopened after portions of the highway began to slide towards the river.
Every Hoosier relies on Indiana’s transportation system to get from point A to point B, and our economic success relies on the condition of Indiana’s roads, highways and bridges. This is one of the key reasons why I supported the 2015 budget bill which provided roughly $1.5 billion in state and local funding to maintain and improve this vital investment. Also included in the budget was an additional $200 million transfer from the Major Moves 2020 Fund, which is to be used for critical transportation needs.
Despite these significant investments, it is estimated that Indiana still needs an additional $1.5 billion in road and bridge funding every year in order to maintain what we have, finish what we have started and plan for the future.
There are a number of ways to fund our roads and bridges at the state and local level, one of which is the gas tax. However, due to more fuel efficient vehicles, we are losing dollars generated by this funding mechanism, which is something many other states are experiencing as well. That is why it is so important now that we find a comprehensive, long-term solution to ensure our roads remain drivable for future generations.
I am pleased that on Organization Day, which is the first official day of the legislative session, House Speaker Brian Bosma outlined road funding as our top priority for next session. As a member of the Roads and Transportation Committee, I look forward to being part of a solution which not only maintains and improves our infrastructure, but also stays true to our commitment to fiscal integrity. Throughout this process, assisting local governments will be an essential part of any comprehensive plan.
Although we will not reconvene in Indianapolis until January, the coming weeks are some of the most important for state legislators. We will begin drafting legislation aimed at addressing these and many other issues facing Hoosiers statewide and in our community. These ideas will be vetted along the way so we are able put our best bill forward once session begins.
Throughout session, your input will be essential to passing the best legislation for Hoosiers. While I take every opportunity to spend time in the district, when my duties require me to be in Indianapolis, I truly rely on your feedback to keep me informed. I hope that we can continue to keep an open line of communication, and I look forward to hearing from you.
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